What Does A Red Rash On Scrotum Indicate?

Posted on Thu, 18 Sep 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 18 Sep 2014 Answered on

Wed, 29 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a red rash on my scrotum. I know I am positive for Herpes 2 alraedy. Can this Herpes cause this red rash ?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Send picture

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
If you are Herpes positive and have had similar rashes earlier then you might have recurrent eruption on the scrotum. As you have started taking valacyclovir, it should show improvement and resolve. In recurrent herpes the dose of valacyclovir is 500 ms twice a day for 3 days.

It is best if you can send across a picture of the rash for better interpretation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (8 hours later)

I have a photo but not sure how to send using this site.

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (59 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please attach or send by email

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.

You can attach your picture with the query or please send by email to YYYY@YYYY with query 137193 on the subject line.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (24 hours later)

Please find the uploaded reports...

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Can be rashes due to herpes

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.

The picture sent has been seen by me. The rashes you have might be due to herpes. Please complete treatment with Valacyclovir 500 ms twice a day for 3 days.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (18 days later)

My doctor has put me on 500 mg per day of Valacyclovir since my condition seemed a little better. It is still red and it seems to be hott in this area causing sweat. Could this be XXXXXXX Red Scrotum Syndrome instead of my Herpes causing this ?

Thank you

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Red scrotum syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.

Red scrotum syndrome (RSS) is not infrequent but is often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed, and seldom reported. It is usually a diagnosis of non responsiveness to treatment with standard medications.

Red scrotum syndrome often follows the prolonged application of topical corticosteroids to the scrotal area and is characterized by persistent erythema of the scrotum associated with severe itching, hyperalgesia, and a burning sensation. Several topical and systemic treatments have been used in the past without success.

For practical purposes we suggest treatment for red scrotum syndrome is with doxycycline for 2 weeks and use gabapentin as second-line treatment when doxycycline fails.

Under supervision of your doctor, if your skin condition responds to doxycycline for 2 weeks then it might be red scrotum syndrome.

Hope your query is answered.
Please write back if you have doubts

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar